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About: Hard Lens Media is a media company built to support activists, organizers, candidates and other groups with limited power reach a greater audience while informing our audience about people they have never heard of that are making a difference.

Dedicated to dialogue and peace!

At Dialogue works, we believe there’s nothing more unstoppable than when people come together.

Larry C. Johnson is a veteran of the CIA and the State Department’s Office of Counter Terrorism. He is the founder and managing partner of BERG Associates, which was established in 1998. Larry provided training to the US Military’s Special Operations community for 24 years. He has been vilified by the right and the left, which means he must be doing something right. You can also follow him on telegram (t.me/sonar_21 (https://t.me/sonar_21) and https://sonar21.com.

Please Subscribe to Larry's YouTube channel using the link below: / @counter_currents_channel

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/20506655

Have you ever wondered why it is that only Republicans are allowed to be patriots and whenever a Democrat/Liberal/Progressive serves in the military it has to be a cover for their evil communist baby-eating plan or something? Welcome to the wonderful world of Swiftboating.

On The Freedom Side LIVE, Thursday, 10/03 at 3pm ET/12pm PT, Eugene and Rania are joined by special guests:

Dr. Jill Stein - With the 2024 US presidential election one month away, 2024 Green Party candidate Dr. Jill Stein joins the show to discuss the state of the election, why third-party candidates matter in US politics, and the urgent need for peace negotiations one year into the genocide in Gaza that’s brought the threat of WWlll closer than ever.

Maya Ayache - Israel launched a brutal carpet-bombing campaign in Beirut, Lebanon, targeting Axis of Resistance leaders and leveling entire residential blocks. Lebanese Journalist Maya Ayache in Beirut discusses this escalation and shares the situation on the ground as Israel invades Lebanon.

Iran fired hundreds of missiles at Israel that targeted key military and security installations in Tel Aviv and elsewhere, in the biggest attack on Israel yet. How will the US and Israel respond? Rania and Eugene discuss.

Kurt Hackbarth- Mexico has inaugurated Claudia Sheinbaum, its first woman president, following her landslide victory in June. Kurt Hackbarth, host of Soberanía: The Mexican Politics Podcast, explains what to expect from the US corporate elite and Mexico’s right wing as Sheinbaum’s pledge to continue AMLO’s progressive Fourth Transformation initiative threatens their plans for the country.

Ahmed Kaballo - After seventeen months of Sudan’s brutal civil war, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) have launched a major offensive in the capital Khartoum against the UAE-backed Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Ahmed Kaballo, the CEO & Founder of African Stream, discusses the latest escalation in the conflict that has devastated the country and left millions displaced and facing famine.

Evan Branan - Hurricane Helene has catastrophic devastation across the southeastern US, killing at least 130 people and over 1,000 reported missing. Evan Branan, an Ashville, North Carolina resident organizing disaster relief efforts with the Party for Socialism and Liberation, describes the dire situation as over a million people remain without power, cell service, and with limited access to food and water.

#breakthroughnews

The conservatives are slinging mud at game companies based on their perceived politics based on female character designs, again.

This shit never ends.

British rapper Lowkey’s music has been entwined with activism since he first picked up a mic, and true to form, he joins Piers Morgan Uncensored with political fire in his belly. Openly anti-Zionist and pro-Palestine, Lowkey lays the blame for the ongoing conflict in the Middle East squarely at the feet of Israel.

Piers Morgan counters, saying that both Hamas and Hezbollah are fully committed to the destruction of the Jewish state, and their attacks would inevitably draw an IDF response.

Piers then brings in Lebanese-American terror commentator Brigitte Gabriel, who claims that Israel had always wanted peace, and withdrew from Gaza in 2005. Lowkey is shocked by her statement that "Palestinians have brought this on themselves", and directly accuses her organisation ACT for America of accepting funding from organisations that invest in illegal settlements in the West Bank.

Timestamps:

1. 00:00 - Introduction
2. 01:44 - Where we are now with this war?
3. 03:30 - Would you say the majority of people killed on October 7 were killed by Hamas?
4. 05:30 - Why are you trying to diminish the scale of what happened?
5. 07:09 - How would you respond on October 8 if you were the Israeli Government?
6. 11:24 - Israel believes Hamas and Hezbollah when they say they want to destroy Israel
7. 14:01 - Was October 7 a terror attack?
8. 14:30 - Have you watched the Hamas footage of October 7?
9. 19:56 - Was it resistance or terrorism?
10. 20:20 - Brigitte Gabriel joins the discussion
11. 24:05 - Do you accept Palestinians should have the same rights as the rest of us?
12. 30:13 - Do you condemn the expansion of settlements on the West Bank?
13. 31:38 - Do you condemn what happened on October 7?

#israel #palestine #hamas #piersmorgan #interview #debate

BlackRock and other asset managers are profiting off of every aspect of your life. It's not a conspiracy — it's an open restructuring of society.

Key Points:

1. Asset Management Dynamics: BlackRock’s model relies on managing institutional funds, but the real money comes from everyday investors like pension funds. This disconnect limits public control over investments.
2. Universal Ownership Risks: Holding shares across various sectors can lead to anti-competitive behavior, as companies may avoid price competition, harming consumers.
3. Political Ties: BlackRock’s connections to government officials raise concerns about a revolving door that may lead to conflicts of interest in policy-making.
4. Voting Behavior: Asset managers often vote in line with company executives, prioritizing short-term profits over long-term sustainability, which can hurt broader stakeholder interests.
5. Shareholder Oligarchy: The shift from widespread shareholder democracy to concentrated power among a few asset managers diminishes individual influence and accountability.
6. Regulatory Challenges: Efforts to regulate asset managers like BlackRock face resistance, as they profit significantly from their current operational model, complicating oversight.
7. Public Awareness: Understanding BlackRock’s influence is crucial in advocating for a more equitable financial system that benefits a wider population.

An independent documentary & interview series hosted by Abby Martin - reporting on war & inequality from the heart of Empire

Journalist Séamus Malekafzali joins Abby Martin to talk about Israel's invasion of Lebanon, the assassination of Nasrallah, and the potential for war with Iran. They are also joined by Empire Files producer Mike Prysner.

Read Séamus' work at https://www.seamus-malekafzali.com/

Follow Séamus at https://x.com/seamus_malek

Disclaimer: If you are sensitive to the topics of this channel or get triggered by the contents of my videos I advice you to not watch my channel and avoid the subject all-together.

Timestamps:

1. 00:00 Introduction
2. 01:54 Abubaker Abed reports from Gaza
3. 19:36 Discussion on Iran's missile strikes on Israel with Ali Abunimah
4. 50:55 Gaza news report with Nora Barrows-Friedman
5. 59:14 Roqayah Chamseddine reports from Lebanon about Israel’s killing of Syed Hasan Nasrallah and the situation in Lebanon as Israel escalates its bombardment of the country and Hizballah defends it against a possible Israeli invasion
6. 01:38:04 Jon Elmer reports on the latest from the battles in Gaza and Lebanon, along with Iraqi and Yemeni missile attacks on Israel
7. 02:28:23 Group discussion on Iran, Lebanon and Gaza; and where the war could go from here

From participating in Occupy Wall Street protests to building an orphanage in Afghanistan, rapper Immortal Technique claims to be a voice for the voiceless. The Afro-Peruvian artist, born in Peru and raised in New York City, writes lyrics focusing on poverty, class issues, racism, and American foreign policy. Immortal Technique also refuses to sign with a major record label and made his latest album available as a free download.

My audience needs to be willing to "confront their own ideologies" - Immortal Technique

As seen on "the stream" Al Jazeera.

"Immortal Technique-Bin Laden Feat. MosDef (Street)", sound recording administered by: The Orchard Music

Timestamps:

1. 00:00 - Intro
2. 01:31 - Interview
3. 08:55 - The Occupy Movement
4. 17:23 - Afghanistan

Dedicated to dialogue and peace!

At Dialogue works, we believe there’s nothing more unstoppable than when people come together.

Col. (ret.) Lawrence Wilkerson's last positions in government were as Secretary of State Colin Powell's Chief of Staff (2002-05), Associate Director of the State Department's Policy Planning staff under the directorship of Ambassador Richard N. Haass, and member of that staff responsible for East Asia and the Pacific, political-military and legislative affairs (2001-02).

Before serving at the State Department, Wilkerson served 31 years in the U.S. Army. During that time, he was a member of the faculty of the U.S. Naval War College (1987 to 1989), Special Assistant to General Powell when he was Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (1989-93), and Director and Deputy Director of the U.S. Marine Corps War College at Quantico, Virginia (1993-97). Wilkerson retired in 1997 and began work as an advisor to General Powell. He has also taught national security affairs at the George Washington University.

The Thinking Muslim Podcast explores key issues in depth with esteemed Muslim thinkers, academics and scholars⁣⁣.

The ongoing slaughter in Gaza and now the carpet bombing of Lebanon has at its backdrop the US elections. Both Kamala Harris and Donald Trump have clearly stated their intentions to back Israel, and it is hard sometimes to place a cigarette paper between them. Some have sought to characterise Harris as a better candidate, suggesting she will be ready to restrain Israel, although with little evidence, and others have conceded her stance to be not dissimilar to Biden – but the other side, Trump, would be worse. They evoke the ‘lesser of the two evils’ argument to suggest that for Muslims, holding your nose and voting is better than not voting.

Not withstanding the fact that those using the lesser of the two evils argument previously asked American Muslims to vote for Clinton, Bush, Obama and Biden – all of whom seem to compete with Shaytan on how much evil they could dispense. But the height of evilness has been the execution of this genocide, which has been on the watch of the Democrats. So how should American Muslims respond to the genocide. Should they abandon Harris? I am planning to visit the US very soon inshallah and will be meeting with American Muslim leaders and others as I attempt to piece together an answer to these crucial questions. But to begin the conversation, I have invited back onto the show Sami Hamdi to share his thoughts.

Timestamps:

1. 0:00 – Introduction
2. 03:00 Is there a Harris bounce in the polls
3. 07:06 If Harris loses, Zionism loses?
4. 13:34 Why is AIPAC worried?
5. 20:00 Shifting US public opinion
6. 26:58 Muslims in swing states
7. 30:01 Supporting Trump
8. 38:19 Third-party candidates
9. 48:21 Should we endorse Jill Stein
10. 57:39 The lesser of the two evils
11. 1:18:00 Are US Muslims ready for sacrifice
12. 1:39:40 Non-Muslim allies

lets talk about an idol group that japanese society fears, atarashii gakko!

Key Points:

1. Empowering Authenticity: Atarashii Gakko! promotes the idea that everyone has something unique to offer, countering Japan’s conformity culture. This message resonates deeply in a society that often values uniformity over individuality.
2. Friendship Over Fame: The group’s foundation on genuine friendship results in natural interactions, creating a refreshing dynamic that contrasts with corporate idol groups focused solely on image and success.
3. Unconventional Themes: Their music explores quirky topics, from ghost stories to alien battles, which fosters creativity and innovation—qualities that Japan has seen diminish in recent years.
4. Cultural Commentary: Their lyrics often reflect the need for change in Japanese society, addressing complacency and encouraging youth to embrace their creativity rather than conforming to societal expectations.
5. Global Reach: With their signing to 88rising, Atarashii Gakko! is expanding their influence beyond Japan, showcasing their unique brand of music at international events like Coachella.
6. Relatable Content: Their unfiltered vlogs depict a fun and chaotic side of their lives, making them relatable and endearing to fans, while also breaking the mold of typical idol behavior.
7. Challenging Industry Norms: Atarashii Gakko! embodies a shift in the idol industry, advocating for freedom and self-expression, thus redefining what it means to be a successful idol group in Japan today.

Julian Assange, accompanied by his wife Stella, took part in a parliamentary hearing on his detention and conviction - and their chilling effect on human rights - on 1 October 2024 ahead of a full plenary debate on this topic by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) due tomorrow.

In his first public remarks since his release from detention at Belmarsh Prison in the UK four months ago, Mr Assange told parliamentarians: "I want to be totally clear. I am not free today because the system worked. I am free today because after years of incarceration I pleaded guilty to journalism. I pleaded guilty to seeking information from a source, and I pleaded guilty to informing the public what that information was."

He added: "It’s good to be back. It’s good to be amongst people who – as we say in Australia – who give a damn. It’s good to be amongst friends."

The hearing was organised by the Assembly’s Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights in the framework of a report on this topic by Thorhildur Sunna Ævarsdóttir (Iceland, SOC). Wikileaks Editor-in-Chief Kristinn Hrafnsson also took part.

In a recent draft resolution, based on Ms Ævarsdóttir's report, the committee expressed deep concern at Mr Assange’s harsh treatment, warned of its “chilling effect” and called on the United States, a Council of Europe observer state, to investigate the alleged war crimes and human rights violations disclosed by him and Wikileaks.

The committee also said it considers that the “disproportionately severe charges” brought against him by the US authorities, as well as the heavy penalties foreseen under the Espionage Act for engaging in acts of journalism, fall within the requirements set out in a 2012 Assembly resolution on the definition of a political prisoner.

On Wednesday 2 October, the Assembly – which brings together parliamentarians from the 46 Council of Europe member states – will debate and vote on the committee’s draft resolution. Mr Assange is expected to be present in the public gallery to watch the debate.

#bassemyoussef

#باسم_يوسف

Bassem Raafat Mohamed Youssef is an Egyptian comedian, television host, and surgeon. He is best-known in his media career for having hosted Al Bernameg, a satirical comedy show focused on Egyptian politics, from 2011 to 2014.In 2013, Bassem Youssef was named on Time 100. His current projects include The Democracy Handbook and Revolution For Dummies.

Over the past two decades, US foreign policy objectives in the #MiddleEast region have largely failed; from the invasion of Iraq to the war in Afghanistan, and US interventions in Syria, Libya and Yemen. Today, as the US continues to support #Israel’s war on #Gaza, it stands isolated in the world community, in opposition to international law, and at odds with its own population that is demanding an end to the war. This opening session will address the legacies of US foreign policy, the challenges facing the United States today, the factors impacting foreign policymaking in Washington, and prospects for reforming US politics, as well as recommendations for the next administration.

Speakers

Jeffrey D. Sachs, Professor and Director of the Center for Sustainable Development, Columbia University; President of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network; SDG Advocate for UN Secretary General António Guterres; Former Special Advisor to UN Secretaries-General Kofi Annan, Ban Ki-moon, and António Guterres

Khalil E. Jahshan – Moderator | Executive Director, Arab Center Washington DC

Key Points:

1. Historical Consistency: U.S. foreign policy has shown remarkable consistency across different administrations since the 1990s, indicating a deep-rooted approach rather than reactive changes to global dynamics. This suggests a systemic issue within the U.S. political framework that prioritizes military solutions.
2. Cost of War: The trillions spent on wars in the last three decades have not brought security but have instead increased debt and instability, calling into question the rationale behind these military engagements. This financial burden could have been redirected to more constructive international collaborations.
3. Diplomacy Over Dominance: The current foreign policy, which favors military interventions, should pivot towards diplomatic strategies that address the underlying causes of conflicts. This shift is essential for sustainable peace globally.
4. Impending Global Threats: The ongoing wars and tensions, particularly with Russia and China, pose serious risks of escalation into wider conflicts. Acknowledging these threats is crucial for any future policy formulation.
5. Need for New Approaches: Current U.S. strategies, rooted in past ideologies of unipolarity, are increasingly outdated. There is a pressing need to rethink and recalibrate foreign policy to align with current geopolitical realities, particularly the rise of other global powers.
6. Middle East Resolution: The key to peace in the Middle East lies in recognizing Palestine’s rights and establishing its statehood. Ignoring this issue perpetuates violence and instability in the region.
7. Impact of Elections: The upcoming elections may not significantly alter the trajectory of U.S. foreign policy, as entrenched interests and systemic issues often override individual leadership changes. This highlights the need for public and grassroots movements to advocate for change.

Your central hub for Palestine news and analysis

Following the Israeli assassination of Hassan Nasrallah, the General Secretary of Hezbollah, the world braces itself for what’s to come. Professor Seyed Mohammad Marandi joins us to discuss Israel’s continued disregard for International Law and Norms.

Please leave your thoughts below in the comment section.

Dedicated to dialogue and peace!

At Dialogue works, we believe there’s nothing more unstoppable than when people come together.

Scott Ritter is a former Marine intelligence officer who served in the former Soviet Union, implementing arms control agreements, and on the staff of General Norman Schwartzkopf during the Gulf War, where he played a critical role in the hunt for Iraqi SCUD missiles. From 1991 until 1998, Mr. Ritter served as a Chief Inspector for the United Nations in Iraq, leading the search for Iraq’s proscribed weapons of mass destruction. Mr. Ritter was a vocal critic of the American decision to go to war with Iraq. His new book, Disarmament in the Time of Perestroika: Arms Control and the End of the Soviet Union, is his ninth.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/20247191

This guy is at that strange intersection where right-wing politics, religious conservatism, and inceldom meet.